Pomegranate Morton, J. 1987. Pomegranate. p. 352355. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. Pomegranate Other Uses Steeped in history and romance and almost in a class by itself, the pomegranate, Punica granatum L., belongs to the family Punicaceae which includes only one genus and two species, the other one, little-known, being P. protopunica Balf. peculiar to the island of Socotra. Despite its ancient background, the pomegranate has acquired only a relatively few commonly recognized vernacular names apart from its many regional epithets in India, most of which are variations on the Sanskrit dadima or dalim, and the Persian dulim or dulima. By the French it is called grenade; by the Spanish, granada (the fruit), granado (the plant); by the Dutch, granaatappel, and Germans, granatapfel; by the Italians, melogranato, melograno granato, pomo granato, or pomo punico.

In Indonesia, it is gangsalan; in Thailand, tab tim; and in Malaya, delima. Brazilians know it as roma, romeira or romazeira. The Quecchi Indian name in Guatemala is granad. The Samoan name is limoni. The generic term, Punica, was the Roman name for Carthage from whence the best pomegranates came to Italy. Plate XLIX: POMEGRANATE, Punica granatum Description An attractive shrub or small tree, to 20 or 30 ft (6 or 10 m) high, the pomegranate is much-branched, more or less spiny, and extremely long-lived, some specimens at Versailles known to have survived two centuries. It has a strong tendency to sucker from the base. The leaves are evergreen or deciduous, opposite or in whorls of 5 or 6, short-stemmed, oblong-lanceolate, 3/8 to 4 in (1-10 cm) long, leathery. Showy flowers are home on the branch tips singly or as many as 5 in a cluster.

They are 1 1/4 in (3 cm) wide and characterized by the thick, tubular, red calyx having 5 to 8 fleshy, pointed sepals forming a vase from which emerge the 3 to 7 crinkled, red, white or variegated petals enclosing the numerous stamens. Nearly round, but crowned at the base by the prominent calyx, the fruit, 2 1/2 to 5 in (6.25-12.5 cm) wide, has a tough, leathery skin or rind, basically yellow more or less overlaid with light or deep pink or rich red. The interior is separated by membranous walls and white spongy tissue (rag) into compartments packed with transparent sacs filled with tart, flavorful, fleshy, juicy, red, pink or whitish pulp (technically the aril). In each sac, there is one white or red, angular, soft or hard seed. The seeds represent about 52% of the weight of the whole fruit.

Origin and Distribution The pomegranate tree is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa and Europe. The fruit was used in many ways as it is today and was featured in Egyptian mythology and art, praised in the Old Testament of the Bible and in the Babylonian Talmud, and it was carried by desert caravans for the sake of its thirst-quenching juice. It traveled to central and southern India from Iran about the first century A.D. and was reported growing in Indonesia in 1416. It has been widely cultivated throughout India and drier parts of southeast Asia, Malaya, the East Indies and tropical Africa. The most important growing regions are Egypt, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, India, Burma and Saudi Arabia. There are some commercial orchards in Israel on the coastal plain and in the Jordan Valley. It is rather commonly planted and has become naturalized in Bermuda where it was first recorded in 1621, but only occasionally seen in the Bahamas, West Indies and warm areas of South and Central America. Many people grow it at cool altitudes in the interior of Honduras.

In Mexico it is frequently planted, and it is sometimes found in gardens in Hawaii. The tree was introduced in California by Spanish settlers in 1769. It is grown for its fruit mostly in the dry zones of that state and Arizona. In California, commercial pomegranate cultivation is concentrated in Tulare, Fresno and Kern counties, with small plantings in Imperial and Riverside counties. There were 2,000 acres (810 ha) of hearing trees in these areas in the 1920's. Production declined from lack of demand in the 1930's but new plantings were made when demand increased in the 1960's. Cultivars There is little information available on the types grown in the Near East, except that the cultivars 'Ahmar', 'Aswad', 'Halwa' are important in Iraq, and 'Mangulati' in Saudi Arabia. 'Wonderful' and 'Red Loufani' are often grown in the Jewish sector of Israel, while the sweeter, less tangy 'Malissi' and 'Ras el Baghl', are favored in the Arab sector. In India there are several named cultivars.

Preference is usually given those with fleshy, juicy pulp around the seeds. Types with relatively soft seeds are often classed as "seedless". Among the best are 'Bedana' and 'Kandhari'. 'Bedana' is medium to large, with brownish or whitish rind, pulp pinkish-white, sweet, seeds soft. 'Kandhari' is large, deep-red, with deep-pink or blood-red, subacid pulp and hard seeds. Others include: 'Alandi' ('Vadki')medium-sized, with fleshy red or pink, subacid pulp, very hard seeds. 'Dholka'large, yellow-red, with patches of dark-pink and purple at base, or all-over greenish-white; thick rind, fleshy, purplish-white or white, sweet, pulp; hard seeds. The plant is evergreen, non-suckering, desirable for commercial purposes in Delhi. 'Kabul'large, with dark-red and pale-yellow rind; fleshy, dark-red, sweet, slightly bitter pulp.

'Muscat Red'small to medium, with thin or fairly thick rind, fleshy, juicy, medium-sweet pulp, soft or medium-hard seeds. The plant is a moderately prolific bearer. 'Paper Shell'round, medium to large, pale-yellow blushed with pink; with very thin rind, fleshy, reddish or pink, sweet, very juicy pulp and soft seeds. Bears heavily. 'Poona'large, with dark-red, gray or grayish-green rind, sometimes spotted, and orange-red or pink-and-red pulp. 'Spanish Ruby'round, small to medium or large; bright-red, with thin rind, fleshy, rose-colored, sweet, aromatic pulp, and small to medium, fairly soft seeds. Considered medium in quality. 'Vellodu'medium to large, with medium-thick rind, fleshy, juicy pulp and medium-hard seeds. 'Muscat White'large, creamy-white tinged with pink; thin rind; fleshy, cream-colored, sweet pulp; seeds medium-hard. Bears well. Desirable for commercial planting in Delhi.

'Wonderful'originated as a cutting in Florida and propagated in California in 1896. The fruit is oblate, very large, dark purple-red, with medium-thick rind; deep-red, juicy, winey pulp; medium-hard seeds. Plant is vigorous and productive. In California, 'Spanish Ruby' and 'Sweet Fruited' were the leading cultivars in the past century, but were superseded by 'Wonderful'. In recent years 'Wonderful' is losing ground to the more colorful 'Grenada'. Mexicans take especial pride in the pomegranates of Tehuacan, Puebla. Many cultivars are grown, including 'Granada de China' and 'Granada Agria'. The Japanese dwarf pomegranate, P. granatum var. nana, is especially hardy and widely grown as an ornamental in pots. The flowers are scarlet, the fruit only 2 in (5 cm) wide but borne abundantly.

Among other ornamental cultivars are 'Multiplex' with double, creamy white blooms; 'Chico', double, orange-red; 'Pleniflora', double, red; 'Rubra Plena', double, red; 'Mme. Legrelle' and 'Variegata', double, scarlet bordered and streaked with yellowish-white. Pollination The pomegranate is both self-pollinated and cross-pollinated by insects. There is very little wind dispersal of pollen. Self-pollination of bagged flowers has resulted in 45% fruit set. Cross-pollination has increased yield to 68%. In hermaphrodite flowers, 6 to 20% of the pollen may be infertile; in male, 14 to 28%. The size and fertility of the pollen vary with the cultivar and season. Climate The species is primarily mild-temperate to subtropical and naturally adapted to regions with cool winters and hot summers, but certain types are grown in home dooryards in tropical areas, such as various islands of the Bahamas and West Indies. In southern Florida, fruit development is enhanced after a cold winter.

Elsewhere in the United States, the pomegranate can be grown outdoors as far north as Washington County, Utah, and Washington, D.C., though it doesn't fruit in the latter locations. It can be severely injured by temperatures below 12º F (-11.11º C). The plant favors a semi-arid climate and is extremely drought -tolerant. Propagation Pomegranate seeds germinate readily even when merely thrown onto the surface of loose soil and the seedlings spring up with vigor. However, to avoid seedling variation, selected cultivars are usually reproduced by means of hardwood cuttings 10 to 20 in (25-50 cm) long. Treatment with 50 ppm. indole-butyric acid and planting at a moisture level of 15.95% greatly enhances root development and survival. The cuttings are set in beds with 1 or 2 buds above the soil for 1 year, and then transplanted to the field. Grafting has never been successful but branches may be air-layered and suckers from a parent plant can be taken up and transplanted.

Culture Rooted cuttings or seedlings are set out in pre-fertilized pits 2 ft (60 cm) deep and wide and are spaced 12 to 18 ft (3.5-5.5 m) apart, depending on the fertility of the soil. Initially, the plants are cut back to 24 to 30 in (60-75 cm) in height and after they branch out the lower branches are pruned to provide a clear main stem. Inasmuch as fruits are borne only at the tips of new growth, it is recommended that, for the first 3 years, the branches be judiciously shortened annually to encourage the maximum number of new shoots on all sides, prevent straggly development, and achieve a strong, well-framed plant. After the 3rd year, only suckers and dead branches are removed. For good fruit production, the plant must be irrigated. In Israel, brackish water is utilized with no adverse effect. In California, irrigation water is supplied by overhead sprinklers which also provide frost protection during cold spells.

The pomegranate may begin to bear in 1 year after planting out, but 2 1/2 to 3 years is more common. Harvesting and Yield The fruits ripen 6 to 7 months after flowering. In Israel, cultivar 'Wonderful' is deemed ready for harvest when the soluble solids (SSC) reach 15%. In California, maturity has been equated with 1.8% titratable acidity (TA) and SSC of 17% or more. The fruit cannot be ripened off the tree even with ethylene treatment. Growers generally consider the fruit ready for harvest if it makes a metallic sound when tapped. The fruit must be picked before over maturity when it tends to crack open if rained upon or under certain conditions of atmospheric humidity, dehydration by winds, or insufficient irrigation. Of course, one might assume that ultimate splitting is the natural means of seed release and dispersal. The fruits should not be pulled off but clipped close to the base so as to leave no stem to cause damage in handling and shipping. Appearance is important, especially in the United States where pomegranates may be purchased primarily to enhance table arrangements and other fall (harvest-time) decorations.

Too much sun exposure causes sunscaldbrown, russeted blemishes and roughening of the rind. The fruit ships well, cushioned with paper or straw, in wooden crates or, for nearby markets, in baskets. Commercial California growers grade the fruits into 8 sizes, pack in layers, unwrapped but topped with shredded plastic, in covered wood boxes, precool rapidly, and ship in refrigerated trucks. Keeping Quality and Storage The pomegranate is equal to the apple in having a long storage life. It is best maintained at a temperature of 32º to 41º F (0º-5º C). The fruits improve in storage, become juicier and more flavorful; may be kept for a period of 7 months within this temperature range and at 80 to 85% relative humidity, without shrinking or spoiling. At 95% relative humidity, the fruit can be kept only 2 months at 41º F (5º C); for longer periods at 50º F (10º C). After prolonged storage, internal breakdown is evidenced by faded, streaky pulp of flat flavor.

'Wonderful' pomegranates, stored in Israel for Christmas shipment to Europe, are subject to superficial browning ("husk scald"). Control has been achieved by delaying harvest and storing in 2% O2 at 35.6º F (2º C). Subsequent transfer to 68º F (20º C) dispels off-flavor from ethanol accumulation. Pests and Diseases The pomegranate butterfly, Virachola isocrates, lays eggs on flower-buds and the calyx of developing fruits; in a few days the caterpillars enter the fruit by way of the calyx. These fruit borers may cause loss of an entire crop unless the flowers are sprayed 2 times 30 days apart. A stem borer sometimes makes holes right through the branches. Twig dieback may be caused by either Pleuroplaconema or Ceuthospora Phyllosticta. Discoloration of fruits and seeds results from infestation by Aspergillus castaneus. The fruits may be sometimes disfigured by Sphaceloma punicae. Dry rot from Phomopsis sp.

or Zythia versoniana may destroy as much as 80% of the crop unless these organisms are controlled by appropriate spraying measures. Excessive rain during the ripening season may induce soft rot. A post-harvest rot caused by Alternaria solani was observed in India in 1974. It is particularly prevalent in cracked fruits. Minor problems are leaf and fruit spot caused by Cercospora, Gloeosporium and Pestalotia sp.; also foliar damage by whitefly, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects; and defoliation by Euproctis spp. and Archyophora dentula. Termites may infest the trunk. In India, paper or plastic bags or other covers may be put over the fruits to protect them from borers, birds, bats and squirrels. Food Uses For enjoying out-of-hand or at the table, the fruit is deeply scored several times vertically and then broken apart; then the clusters of juice sacs can be lifted out of the rind and eaten. Italians and other pomegranate fanciers consider this not a laborious handicap but a social, family or group activity, prolonging the pleasure of dining.

In some countries, such as Iran, the juice is a very popular beverage. Most simply, the juice sacs are removed from the fruit and put through a basket press. Otherwise, the fruits are quartered and crushed, or the whole fruits may be pressed and the juice strained out. In Iran, the cut-open fruits may be stomped by a person wearing special shoes in a clay tub and the juice runs through outlets into clay troughs. Hydraulic extraction of juice should be at a pressure of less than 100 psi to avoid undue yield of tannin. The juice from crushed whole fruits contains excess tannin from the rind (as much as .175%) and this is precipitated out by a gelatin process. After filtering, the juice may be preserved by adding sodium benzoate or it may be pasteurized for 30 minutes, allowed to settle for 2 days, then strained and bottled. For beverage purposes, it is usually sweetened. Housewives in South Carolina make pomegranate jelly by adding 7 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 bottle of liquid pectin for every 4 cups of juice.

In Saudi Arabia, the juice sacs may be frozen intact or the extracted juice may be concentrated and frozen, for future use. Pomegranate juice is widely made into grenadine for use in mixed drinks. In the Asiatic countries it may be made into a thick sirup for use as a sauce. It is also often converted into wine. In the home kitchen, the juice can be easily extracted by reaming the halved fruits on an ordinary orange-juice squeezer. In northern India, a major use of the wild fruits is for the preparation of "anardana"the juice sacs being dried in the sun for 10 to 15 days and then sold as a spice. Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion* Calories Toxicity A tannin content of no more than 0.25% in the edible portion is the desideratum. Many studies have shown that tannin is carcinogenic and excessive ingestion of tannin from one or more sources, over a prolonged period, is detrimental to health.

(See also "Medicinal Uses" regarding overdoses of bark.) Other Uses All parts of the tree have been utilized as sources of tannin for curing leather. The trunk bark contains 10 to 25% tannin and was formerly important in the production of Morocco leather. The root bark has a 28% tannin content, the leaves, 11%, and the fruit rind as much as 26%. The latter is a by-product of the "anardana" industry. Both the rind and the flowers yield dyes for textiles. Ink can be made by steeping the leaves in vinegar. In Japan, an insecticide is derived from the bark. The pale-yellow wood is very hard and, while available only in small dimensions, is used for walking-sticks and in woodcrafts. Medicinal Uses: The juice of wild pomegranates yields citric acid and sodium citrate for pharmaceutical purposes. Pomegranate juice enters into preparations for treating dyspepsia and is considered beneficial in leprosy. The bark of the stem and root contains several alkaloids including isopelletierine which is active against tapeworms.

Either a decoction of the bark, which is very bitter, or the safer, insoluble Pelletierine Tannate may be employed. Overdoses are emetic and purgative, produce dilation of pupila, dimness of sight, muscular weakness and paralysis. Because of their tannin content, extracts of the bark, leaves, immature fruit and fruit rind have been given as astringents to halt diarrhea, dysentery and hemorrhages. Dried, pulverized flower buds are employed as a remedy for bronchitis. In Mexico, a decoction of the flowers is gargled to relieve oral and throat inflammation. Leaves, seeds, roots and bark have displayed hypotensive, antispasmodic and anthelmintic activity in bioassay. Pomegranate Information Pomegranate Information view all gifts Pomegranate Jelly Indulge yourself with passion. Try our Pomegranate Jelly and you will taste fresh California pomegranates. The slightly tart flavor makes this jelly a real winner and no wonder this item is our most popular jelly. Our price is $5.80 Do you really know about the exotic pomegranate? Its origins are from the Middle East and Asia.

They are now commonly grown in Africa, India, Malaysia, southern Europe, and in the United States (mostly Arizona and California). Pomegranates are the fruits that are produced from the pomegranate tree. The tree is long-lasting and can produce many fruits, bearing white and red flowers. It takes about a year after first planting to bear any fruit. You can recognize a pomegranate by its round shape, hard yellow and red outer skin, and by its unusual interior flesh that contains many small edible seeds. A semi-sweet pulp that can also be eaten surrounds each of these interior seeds. Although pomegranates contain many seeds, the pulp that surrounds the seeds is very tasty and has a tangy flavor. Also, the fruit is very juicy. Common uses for the pomegranate include eating the fruit raw, using the seeds as dessert toppings, and pressing the seeds and pulp to make a juice. This juice can be used to make wines, salad dressings, syrups and, of course, jellies. From August through November, fresh pomegranates are available for sale at many larger supermarket chains and specialty markets.

When choosing a fruit, make sure there are no bruises, the skin doesn't have a dull finish and it feels heavy (for freshness). Once purchased, you can store it for about one month in your refrigerator. There are many different varieties of Pomegranates as shown in the green box to the right. All have slightly different flavors but share beneficial nutritional properties. They do not contain any fat, cholesterol, or sodium. Additionally, they provide an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Also, one pomegranate contains about 100 calories. Pomegranates are a unique and versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used as decorative items (you can place them in a fruit bowl as an ornament). We hope you re-discover the beauty and versatility of this wonderful fruit. Pomegranate Varieties Wonderful - this is the most widely planted commercial variety in California. It has a glossy appearance and is large with a deep red or purple color. Was discovered about 1896 in Porterville, CA in a quantity of pomegranate cuttings received from Florida. The fruit matures in late September and October.

Granada - this is a patented, early maturing variety widely grown in Turle County, California. Introduced in 1966. It matures about mid-August, is smaller than Wonderful, but commands a premium price on the market. Ruby Red - very limited commercial importance. About the same size as Wonderful. Does not store as well as Wonderful. Foothill Early - a recent patented introduction planted in central California. The fruit is similar to Wonderful but matures 1 to 2 weeks earlier. Spanish Sweet (or Papershell) - no longer commercially grown but is used mostly as a dooryard tree. The fruit is large and pale pink with a sweet flavor. Sweet - lighter in color than Wonderful but much sweeter than other varieties. Excellent in fruit punch. Trees are highly ornamental. Utah Sweet - very sweet, good quality fruit. Pink skin and pulp with seeds that are much softer than those of Wonderful. Fleshman - originated in Fallbrook, California. Large roundish fruit, pink outside and inside. Very sweet flavor, seeds relatively soft and the quality is very good. Early Wonderful - large, deep- red, thin-skinned delicious fruit. Ripens about 2 weeks ahead of Wonderful. Very productive trees.

And many more varieties.. Varieties of Pomegranate Range in the Hundreds Across the World Varieties of Pomegranate Range in the Hundreds Across the World There are literally hundreds of varieties of pomegranate across the world. Some varieties are native to one area of the world or another and can only thrive in those areas. Other varieties can be ‘transplanted’ if you will, to other areas of the world as long as the climate is similar. During ancient times, the pomegranate fruit was referred to as the nectar of the gods and is one of the oldest fruits known to man. It’s no wonder then that people have experimented with finding new and interesting pomegranate fruit varieties. Many of these fruit trees can be obtained through a local nursery or via an online nursery. However, there are many varieties that are rather elusive and almost impossible to find unless you happen to know someone who has a specific variety growing in their back yard. Where Did Pomegranates Originate? Pomegranates are native to the near-Middle East to the Himalayas, but are now found throughout the United States and many other countries.

Just to name a few of the other countries that either grows or has grown varying varieties of pomegranate: Spain, Israel, Persia, and Germany. The first plants to arrive in the United States may have been brought into the country by the early Spanish settlers, but no one knows for certain if the tree first arrived in Florida or California. Fruiting Varieties of Pomegranate The fruiting variety of pomegranate fruit is popular with not only commercial growers, but also with individuals who enjoy growing and eating the fruit themselves. The fruit trees produce rich tasting and juicy fruit, but also produce stunning red-orange blooms during the year so they are seen as an ornamental tree in addition to bearing fruit. The fruit of a pomegranate appears to be the size of a medium apple up to a softball size. Rind colors of pomegranates can be deep red, crimson, yellow-orange, white, green, deep reddish-purple, and even almost black, to name a few. These trees require pruning to keep them under control or else they have the capability of growing up to 20 feet in height.

Most varieties of pomegranate can be pruned to a good height of 6 to 12 feet in order to keep the tree healthy. Varieties of Pomegranate This is by no means a comprehensive list of pomegranate varieties, but it is a good sampling of some of the most popular ones. Check your local nursery or an online nursery for purchasing these varieties. Desertnyi Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center - Growing Pomegranates in California - Fruit and Nut Fact Sheets Growing Pomegranates in California The author is the late James H. LaRue, Farm Advisor, Tulare County from: DANR Leaflet 2459: 1977 Contents: Introduction The pomegranate is associated with the most ancient civilization in the Middle East. Judging by some of the earliest records, the pomegranate is native to Persia and the surrounding area. It was also cultivated in ancient Greece and referred to by Greek writers several hundred years B.C., even before the advent of the almond, peach or apricot.

The character of the fruit made it particularly agreeable to the inhabitant of hot, arid regions, and so it spread east to India and China, and west to countries encircling the Mediterranean (it flourished particularly well in Spain, and the city of Granada owes its name to the high-quality pomegranates grown in that area). The present scientific name, Punica granatum, was derived from the name "pomuni granatum" (seeded apple) given to the fruit in the Middle Ages. Spanish missionaries brought the pomegranate to the New World soon after Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521. As the missions moved north to California, so did the fruits grown by the padres. For instance, an orchard containing pomegranates, apples plums, figs, oranges, grapes, and peaches was described by a visitor to Mission San Buena Ventura in 1792. Most descriptions of early California fruit gardens mention pomegranates as being widely grown, and even today many California fruit gardens mention pomegranates as being widely grown, and even today many California mission gardens contain pomegranate bushes, a few of which probably were originally planted by the padres.

In the U.S. pomegranates are grown where winters are mild, but only in California does the fruit reach the quality necessary for successful commercial production. The pomegranate also serves as an ornamental shrub or tree, prized for its fruit, shiny foliage, and long flowering period during the spring and summer. Acreage In 1976 there were about 2,500 commercial acres of pomegranates in California mostly in Tulare and Fresno counties in the central San Joaquin Valley. There are also countless pomegranate shrubs and hedges along roadways and in backyards throughout the state. There were 1,850 acres of pomegranates in California in 1927, but acreage steadily declined until there were only 522 acres in 1952. Plantings in the 1960's and 1970's slowly increased the state's acreage to the present level and recent plantings will soon further increase California's production. Further expansion beyond that required for limited consumer demand and by-product use could profoundly effect grower returns.

Description Pomegranates grow naturally as a bushy shrub or as a small tree-if trained, they may grow 15 to 20 feet high. The tree is deciduous in interior and desert regions, but in coastal areas may lose only a portion of its leaves in winter. The tree is quite resistant to cold when dormant , withstanding temperatures down to 10°F. However, it is very sensitive to frost before it reaches full dormancy in late fall and after buds have begun to swell in early spring. The main trunk near the ground, particularly on the south and west sides of the tree, is sometimes damaged by frost during these periods. Bark damage may be reduced by painting trunks white to minimize temperature fluctuation during cold nights and warm days when the trunk is exposed to direct sunlight. The brilliant orange-red flowers are axillary, solitary, or in small clusters, and borne toward the ends of the branchlets. In the San Joaquin Valley there are generally two or three blooming and fruit-setting periods in spring. Fruit may be set at each bloom period. Earlier bloom set results in fruit of larger size at maturity.

The pomegranate is long lived compared to many other fruit trees-some trees have been reported to be over 200 years old. Where Pomegranates May be Planted In North and South America the pomegranate is found growing form the southern United States to Chile and Argentina, probably reaching its highest quality in the arid regions of California, Arizona and northern Mexico. Throughout tropical America the plant is common in gardens and dooryards, and in many places it is grown more for ornamental value than for fruit. In humid climates the fruit is inferior in quality. In California, the most satisfactory areas for growing pomegranates are in interior valleys where hot dry summers mature fruit with good color and flavor. The tree grows well in a wide range of climatic conditions. Although mild summers limit commercial fruit production, the pomegranate is well adapted as an ornamental shrub in cool coastal areas. The pomegranate is more adaptable to a wider range of soils than are most fruit trees. It does best on deep loam, but satisfactory orchards grow on sandy as well as adobe-clay soils.

The tree tolerates mild alkali conditions and areas of slow drainage, but yield, fruit quality and tree growth are unsatisfactory on soils having much alkali or poor drainage. Varieties Because of the wide fruit variation arising form seedlings, many pomegranate varieties have been selected and grown from cuttings through the centuries. The pink or red-flowered type includes most of the common and all the desirable and commercial varieties of pomegranates. The trees are deciduous in the interior valleys and semideciduous along the coast. The fruit is round oblate or obovate in form with rind varying from thick to thin. Color of the outside and inside varies form off-white to purplish or bright crimson. The seed may vary in size and hardness, some varieties seeming to be "seedless.,"others being almost inedible because of large, hard seed. In general, varieties having whitish or pinkish fruit are usually sweeter than the dark crimson varieties. Wonderful is by far the most widely planted commercial pomegranate variety in California. Its fruit, which ships well, is large and deep purple -red with a glossy appearance.

The kernels and juice are deep crimson with good flavor; seeds are small and tender and the rind is of medium thickness. It is also a good dooryard tree for eating fresh and processing for juice. Wonderful was discovered about 1896 in Porterville in a quantity of pomegranate cuttings received from Florida. The fruit matures in late September and October. Granada is a patented early-maturing variety widely grown in Tulare County. The deep crimson-colored fruit, which matures about the middle of August, is smaller than Wonderful, but because of its early maturity it commands a premium price on the market. Ruby Red is another variety of very limited commercial importance. The fruit is about the same size as Wonderful, and while its crimson-purple color develops early, juice tests show that it matures at the same time as Wonderful. Ruby Red matures at the same time on the tree, thus allowing one picking which reduces that splitting problem. It does not store as well as Wonderful. Foothill Early is a recent patented introduction planted in central California. The fruit is similar to Wonderful but matures 1 to 2 weeks earlier.

Spanish Sweet or Papershell is still grown to a limited extent as a dooryard tree, but is no longer a commercially marketed variety. The fruit is large and pale pink with a sweet flavor. A few other varieties, mostly early maturing, are grown for the commercial market. These named and unnamed selections are, for the most part, marketed before Wonderful matures. A few ornamental varieties are grown primarily for dooryard use . These usually are double flowered or dwarf types with red, yellow, white or variegated blooms. Like commercial varieties, they are most successfully grown in got interior areas, but are also adapted to the coastal climate. Propagation The pomegranate may be propagated by means of hardwood or softwood cuttings, or by seed. Seeds germinate easily without going through a rest period, but trees are not grown commercially from seed germination because seedlings do not come true to variety. Such seedlings produce fruit of widely varying characteristics: large to small, juicy to woody, dark-red or purple to almost white, and from sweet to sour. Trees may be grown from softwood cuttings make late in the growing season and rooted in beds or greenhouses; however, this method is seldom used.

Hardwood cuttings are the easiest and most satisfactory method of growing pomegranates. Cuttings are made 8 to 10 inches long of wood 1/4 to ½ inch n diameter. These are cut in the winter form the previous season's shoot or sucker growth. The cuttings are planted in open ground 6 to 8 inches apart in nursery rows, with about 2 to 3 inches of the top exposed. Tt is not necessary to callus the cutting to insure rooting. The plant is allowed to grow for one season in the nursery and then transplanted bare root to the orchard the next winter or early spring. Planting Distances Pomegranate trees do not come into good commercial production for 5 or 6 years and fruit produced on young trees tends to mature late. Although double setting or close planting may increase early production, this practice is questionable. The standard planting distance is 20 x 20 feet, with a few orchards planted at 18 x 18 feet or closer. Planting closer than 18 x 18 feet is not normally recommended for commercial pomegranate production.

Trees planted too closely make picking difficult as they begin to crowd, and fruit color develops more slowly when shaded in closely-planted or hedge-row plantings. As trees get older and denser, fruit scarring may increase. A few orchards are close planted at 12 x 14 feet within the row, rows being 18 to 20 feet apart. By maintaining a permanent weed free berm system of cultivation, close-planted orchards such as this can be maintained. Picking and pruning can be a problem under close-planted conditions because workers cannot move freely through the rows. Where hedges or border rows are desired, trees can be planted as close as 6 to 10 feet apart and allowed to grow without training. They sucker readily and the resulting bushes form a dense hedge. Irrigation The pomegranate can withstand long periods of drought. Although not much fruit is produced under drought conditions, trees will survive for years; then, if properly irrigated, they grow vigorously and produce good crops. Trees will thrive and produce an abundance of fruit under high summer rainfall conditions but the fruit tends to be soft and has poor shipping and storage quality.

To produce large corps of good-quality fruit, pomegranates require about the same amount of water and frequency of application as citrus. Adequate soil moisture must be maintained throughout the growing season, particularly as harvest approaches in late summer and early fall, when it helps reduce the number of split fruit. Most orchards are irrigated under the furrow system, but sprinkler and drip irrigation systems are satisfactory if properly designed. Orchards thrive under noncultivation and semi-noncultivation berm systems. Weed control is difficult because at present no preemergence herbicides are registered for use in pomegranate orchards. Fertilization Mature pomegranate trees require from ½ to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per tree per year. This may be applied in one application in fall or winter. On light soils a split application may be desirable, one-half of the fertilizer being applied in late winter and the remainder in spring. Excessive or late applications of nitrogen may delay fruit maturity and color. Some evidence indicates that excessive nitrogen applications cause increased vegetative growth and reduce fruit production.

There is not evidence to show that phosphorous (P) or potassium (K) will improve growth or fruit quality when used to fertilize pomegranate orchards. Occasionally, zinc deficiency is evident in trees. This is corrected by applying zinc sprays during the dormant season or to the foliage in spring and early summer. Insect Pests One widespread insect pest on pomegranates in the commercial producing areas of California is the flat mite, Brevipalpus lewisi. This small, light-reddish mite hibernates under flakes of bark on larger tree limbs in foliage in mid to late summer, causing a russeting and checking on mature fruit. In the San Joaquin Valley, one or two sulfur dustings in June or early July gives effective control. Omnivorous leafroller, Platynola stultana, has recently become a serious pest in many pomegranate orchards in central California. The larvae of this insect are first observed in the tops of trees nesting in shoot terminals in June and July. As fruit begins to ripen, larvae enter in protected locations; under leaves, near the stem, or where two fruits are touching.

Larvae also cause channels to appear in the rind where they feed under leaves. After entering the fruit they feed on kernels and pupate at the entry location. The fruit usually rots just inside the entry location. Control is difficult because timing must be exact when larvae are first noticed nesting in the shoots. It is difficult to get good coverage because the larvae plaster leaves together or to fruit, and are thus well protected. The western leaf-footed plant bug and grape and Comstock mealybug have caused damage to pomegranates in isolated areas of California with control occasionally being necessary. In addition citricola scale, black scale, California red scale, melon aphid, greenhouse whitefly, katydid and thrips (citrus greenhouse and flower) also attack the pomegranate but seldom, if ever, become serious pest. Root-knot nematode has been identified in pomegranate roots. Not normally considered a serious pest, it may be responsible for a weakening effect on trees, particularly those planted in sandy areas or areas where the root-knot nematode population is very high. Few insecticides or nematocides are registered for use in pomegranate orchards.

Control measures for some of the foregoing pests must follow prescribed methods given under special permits through the local Agricultural Commissioner. Diseases Pomegranate trees are not affected by any serious disease. The fruit, however, is frequently damaged by heart rot, caused by Alternaria fungus. Heart rot infection takes place in the bloom, and progresses to the interior of the fruit. The central cavity of the infected fruit is partially or totally decayed, yet the rind remains unaffected. Experienced pickers throw out most infected fruit, although infection is difficult to detect. At present, there is no known control. Removal of old fruit from the tree during pruning may eliminate a potential source of fungus as well as shoot dieback for the following season. The disease seems to affect more fruit if there is much rain in blooming season, thus suggesting that moisture in the bloom increases amount of infection. Training Young Trees Trees may be trained to a bush, single- or multiple-trunked tree. The bush form is satisfactory for backyards or hedgerows, but is undesirable for good commercial production. Trees form the nursery are planted bare root in winter or early spring. The natural growth habit of the pomegranate is to produce many suckers from the base of the tree.

If a single truck tree is desired, only one vigorous sucker or the trunk of the original nursery tree should be selected and branches grown from it. Basal suckers should be removed periodically to promote growth form the main trunk of the newly planted tree. If the orchard trees are to be developed into a multiple-trunk system, five or six vigorous suckers should be selected around the base of the young tree and allowed to grow. Selection of the five or six suckers to be developed into permanent trunks may take two or three or more years until good trunks are correctly positioned to form a sturdy and symmetrical tree. All other suckers should be removed in summer and during dormant pruning. Many growers prefer the multi-trunk system. In case of frost injury, usually only one or two trunks are injured, leaving the others to continue bearing. New trunks can be trained from suckers and full production restored to the tree in 2 or 3 years. Single-trunked trees may be completely killed except for suckers coming form the ground. Trees trained to a multiple truck require less frequent care in pruning during the first few years and come into bearing sooner than trees having only one truck.

Some pruning and tying with ropes for support may be needed for the first 3 or 4 years or until trunks are large and rigid enough to support the developing top. Pruning Pomegranate trees require a small amount of pruning each winter to maintain shape and good bearing surface. Even mature trees grow vigorously, sending up a large number of shoots and basal suckers that require removal each year. The short spurs on 2- or 3-year-old wood growing mostly on the outer edge of the tree produce flowers. These spurs develop on slow growing, mature wood that bears fruit for several years, but as the tree increases in size the wood loses its fruiting habit. Light, annual pruning encourages growth of new fruit spurs and heavy pruning reduces yields. Care should therefore be taken to leave adequate fruit-bearing wood on the tree, while removing crossing over or interfering branches. In addition, some thinning out of crowded bearing areas helps produce larger fruit having fewer wind scars. Should below-freezing temperatures occur in early winter before trees are fully dormant, or in early spring when trees are beginning to leaf out, severe damage can be done to tree trunks. Occasionally, entire trunks are girdled and killed by frost.

Remove weak or dead limbs during the next growing season, and permit a vigorous sucker to develop from ground level to replace it. Home Fruit Production Professor & Extension Horticulturist December, 1998 Pomegranate originated in southern Asia and was widely cultivated from India to the Mediterranean during ancient times. From Spain, it was introduced into the Americas by Spanish missionaries during the sixteenth century. Its colorful, orange-red flowers and dense, bushy growth habit make pomegranate an attractive ornamental. While pomegranate can be trained as a small tree, it is more commonly grown as a bushy shrub. The leaves are deciduous, usually glossy and dark green. The plant may have spines (thorns) along its branches. The fruit may be yellow to bright red in color, up to about 4 inches in diameter. The rind is smooth, but leathery, with a persistent, tubular calyx at the blossom end. The numerous seeds are surrounded by a pink to purplish or crimson, pulp which is juicy and subacid. CLIMATE Pomegranate is common to the tropics, subtropics and subtemperate regions and is well adapted to areas with hot, dry summers.

It is considerably more cold hardy than citrus; some can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees but others may be damaged at 18 degrees. For best results, pomegranate should be grown in full sun. Because of its variance in cold hardiness, some types may well survive typical winters in north central Texas, especially the ornamental types which produce only small fruit, if any. The fruiting types should survive most winters throughout south, central and southeast Texas. SOIL AND SELECTION Basically, pomegranate is well-adapted to practically any soil that has good internal drainage. While some authorities content that its pH range is slightly acidic to neutral, pomegranate grows very well on the moderately alkaline soils of south Texas and northern Mexico. For best results, pomegranate should be grown in full sun. If the intent is to grow it as a small tree, then adequate space for development should be provided. Otherwise, it is well suited to bring grown as a hedge or clump of shrubs. According to some literature, pomegranate has poor salt tolerance, but we have seen no serious problems with the existing salinity of soils and water in the Valley.

VARIETIES 'Wonderful' was the primary variety of commerce in California; 'Purple Seed' and 'Spanish Ruby' were popular in Florida. Because there has been no commercialization of pomegranate in Texas, named varieties may be hard to find. According to Bill Adams, County Extension Horticulturist in Harris County, a number of varieties were tested in the Houston area. 'Cloud' grows well and bears sweet but white-fleshed fruit that is not as appealing as the red-fleshed fruit. 'Cranberry' grows well and bears nice fruit, but it has some problems with fruit rot. 'Davey' is similar to 'Cranberry' but is apparently less productive. 'Fleishman' froze out in 1989, while both 'Mae' and 'Eve' were taken out for various reasons. As there is no quarantine on pomegranates, named varieties may be available through mail order from out-of-state nurseries if you cannot locate plants locally. PROPAGATION Pomegranate seed will germinate in about 6 weeks and is a common means of propagation. Seedlings, however, do not come true-to-type. Air layering is successful but tedious.

Hardwood cuttings stuck in late winter to early spring is the preferred method to produce plants of desirable characteristics. PLANTING AND ESTABLISHMENT Since pomegranate plants will most likely be container-grown in soilless media, it is best to wash an inch or so of the potting medium from the root ball so as to expose the peripheral roots to the soil in which they must go. Such plants should commence growth soon after planting, in contrast to those that are simply planted intact from the nursery container. Water thoroughly at planting and again every few days for the first couple of weeks, after which the interval between waterings can be lengthened gradually. At establishment, the plants shouldn't require watering more frequently than every seven to 10 days. To facilitate watering, construct a ring of soil several inches thick and high, a couple of feet in diameter, around the newly planted tree. Then just fill the ring with water as necessary. The ring will melt into the surrounding soil within a few months, by which time the young plant will have become established. Fertilize lightly after growth commences. Generally, one to two cups of ammonium sulfate in the first year should be sufficient, especially if it is split into three to four applications.

Use about twice as much fertilizer in the second year and three times as much in the third year. Split applications in February, May and September are adequate. To enable rapid establishment, all other vegetation should be removed within a foot to two of the young pomegranate. Turfgrass can be killed initially with a systemic contact herbicide, followed by organic mulching to prevent weed and grass competition as well as to conserve soil moisture. PRUNING AND TRAINING Because pomegranate suckers profusely from the crown, frequent sucker removal will be necessary to train the plant into a tree form. The process must be started soon after planting to maintain a single trunk, otherwise too many suckers will have developed that it will be difficult to change. Unless there is a strong desire for a tree-form, the bushy, free-growing shrub develops naturally. Annual pruning of bearing pomegranates is not really necessary--but dead or damaged portions should be removed as time permits, and some thinning of suckers or branches may be necessary from time to time. MATURE PLANT CARE Basically, the same care as practiced during establishment should be continued for the mature plant, whether tree-form or natural shrub.

PRODUCTION, MATURITY AND USE As seedlings, pomegranate may undergo severe fruit drop during its first couple of years of production, but this will change as the plant emerges from its seedling juvenility. Severe fruit drop should not occur with vegetatively propagated pomegranates. In temperate climates, fruit maturity will commence in summer and extend for several weeks in the fall. Obviously, the amount of fruit produced will increase with increasing size of the plant, but reliable estimates of production are unavailable. Pomegranates are commonly eaten fresh, although the fleshy pulp around each seed in perceived as a hindrance to fresh consumption. The juice may be made into a beverage or into syrup, and can be blended with other juices. PROBLEMS Perhaps the most serious problem with pomegranate is the occurrence of a fungal disease which affects both the leaves and the fruit, causing premature leaf loss and also resulting in fruit splitting on the plant. While the leaf drop may be ignored, fruit splitting cannot, since the splitting usually occurs just as the fruit begins to mature. Copper fungicide use during fruit development of late spring through summer may alleviate the problem.

Orchard Economics | Resources | Urban Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Texas Citrus and Subtropical Fruits is maintained by Julian W. Sauls . Fruits and Nuts for Alachua County - UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office – Solutions for Your Life Tropic Sweet, Anna, and Dorsett Golden (together for cross pollination). Avocado Mexicola, Gainesville, Day, Teague, Topa Topa, Brogdon, Winter Mexican, and Young in warmer parts of County. Must protect from freeze or frost. Banana Dwarf Cavendish, Orinoco Plantain, Raja Puri, Ice Cream, Lady Finger, Mysore. Must protect from freeze or frost. Blackberry Brazos, Roseborough, Chickasaw, Chactau, Kiowa (all thorny). Black Walnut Thomas, Victoria, and Captain. Blueberry Highbush - Star, Millennia and Emerald, Windsor (earliest); Rabbiteye - Climax, Beckyblue, Austin, Woodard and Bonita (Early); Chaucer, Brightwell, Powderblue and Tifblue (later). Plant several within each group together for cross pollination.

Bunch Grape Blue Lake, Conquistador, Daytona, Blanc Dubois, Stover, Suwannee, Lake Emerald and Orlando Seedless. Cattley Guava Any Chinese or American-Chinese chestnut crosses. Plant at least two varieties for cross pollination. Chinquapin Native Florida Chestnut relative. Citrus Owari Satsuma tangerine and Kumquats are hardiest. Also, early oranges including Navel, Hamlin, Parson Brown and Ambersweet. Triumph grapefruit (others not as hardy). Dancy, Ponkan (Chinese Honey) Robinson, Sunburst, Page and Fallglo Tangerines. Minneola and Orlando Tangelos. Limequat, Calamardin and Meyer Lemon. Robinson, Minneola, Orlando, Page and Sunburst need other varieties for cross pollination. Protect from freezes. These should be on cold hardy root stocks like Trifoliate, Sour Orange, Swingle or Cleopatra. Elderberry Adams, Johns, Nova, New York 21, York or native plants. Feijoa Apollo, Gemini, Nazemetz, Trask, Coolidge, Mammoth and Triumph or unnamed propagated locally as ornamentals.

Fig Celeste, Brown Turkey, San Piero, Magnolia, Alma and Green Ischia. Jujube Any improved varieties or unnamed propagated locally as ornamentals. Mayhaw Lori, Lindsey, Big Red, Red and Yellow, Mason's Super Berry, T.O. Super Berry, Highway Super Berry. Mulberry White (Downing, New American and Wellington), Black (Black Persian and Noir), and Red (Hicks, Johnson, Stubbs, Townsend, and Travis) or native trees. Muscadine Grape Black: Alachua, Abemarle, Nesbitt, Cowart, Jumbo and Southland. Bronze: Carlos, Dixie, Fry, Doreen, Florida Fry, Granny Val, Golden Isles, Summit, Triumph, Welder, Red's Noble and Southern Home. Jumbo and Fry need other varieties for cross pollination. Muskmelon Ambrosia, Athena, All Star, Magnum 45, Challenger, Explorer, Goldmark, Hy-Mark, Mission, Primo, Solid Gold and Tasty Sweet. Nectarine Sundollar, Suncoast and Sunmist (white flesh); Sunracer and UF Queen (warmer areas).

Pawpaw Flordagold, Flordacrest, Flordadown, Flordaking and UF 2000 (warmer area). Pear Baldwin, Carnes, Flordahome (soft), Orient, Hood (soft), Kieffer, Pineapple and Tenn; Flordahome and Pineapple need to be planted with another variety for cross pollination. Asian Pears including Ya Li, Shimsecki and 20th Century can also be tried but must have more than one variety for cross pollination. Pecan Cape Fear, Elliott, Moreland and Summer. Also Desirable, Gloria Grande, Kiowa and Stuart, but must be sprayed for disease. Persimmon Non-astringent--Fuyu (late), Izu (early) and Matsumoto Wase Fuyu (mid season), Jiro, Ichikikei Jiro, Suruga. Astringent--Gionbo, Hachiya, Saijo, Tanenashi, Sheng and Ormond. Plum Gulf Gold, Gulf Ruby, Gulf Beauty, Gluf Blaze (two or more) together for cross pollination.

Pomegranate Granada, Early Foothill, Ruby Red, Sweet Spanish Papershell, and Wonderful. Prickly Pear Cactus

Question: Papershell, Wonderful and Spanish Ruby, are all types of which fruit?
Answer: Pomegranate